Next up In The Driver's Seat--where we hear from the folks who add that extra something to the teamwork of a crew—-is coxswain Hannah Jiang.

Hannah won the NCAA D3 Championship last spring with Tufts, a race she talks about below, and she has coxed the Jumbos varsity eight for the past two years. That stretch has included winning the collegiate eight at the Head of the Charles twice and a gold medal at the 2024 NIRC Regatta which secured Tuft's first NESCAC title. Hannah's NCAA hardware--so far--includes Tufts's first medal finish in 2023 and the program's first national title in 2024.

She coxed for New Trier in high school and is now a junior at Tufts.

Let's hop In The Driver's Seat with Hannah:

row2k - Tell us what you see as the three most important things to being a successful coxswain:
Hannah Jiang - My top three essentials for being a successful coxswain are safety, communication, and confidence.

Safety: This is always my top priority. Before practices, I spend some time checking on my equipment. Even just five extra minutes ensuring all the bolts are secure can prevent potential damage and save valuable time in the long run. If I'm on a new body of water, I make it a priority to identify any potential danger or caution points in advance. Knowing these points beforehand allows me to navigate more confidently and efficiently, minimizing uncertainty and keeping the crew safe. Lastly, keeping your head on a swivel throughout practice is key. There’s so many things that can happen when you’re on the water, but being aware of your surroundings (e.g. what boats are near you, where's the shore, debris, etc.) can prevent a lot of accidents. Constant vigilance allows for quick adjustments and keeps both the crew and equipment safe.

Communication: A key part of being a great coxswain is communication--whether it’s coordinating with your coach about the practice plan or actively listening to your crew. Clear, effective communication ensures that everyone is on the same page. I like to take a few minutes before the start of practice to set the tone with the crew I’m working with. We’ll take that time to set a technical focus that everyone can focus on. Strong communication with coaches is just as important. I make it a priority to check in with my coaches daily about technical focuses or goals for my crew. This allows for us to be on the same page about our intentions and what we want to achieve.

With gold on the dock at NIRCs in 2024

Confidence: Having confidence is just as important as communication. There will be times when you may not be entirely sure about a decision, but projecting confidence to your crew is crucial. As much as you rely on the rowers, they rely on you just as much. Things can get hectic and chaotic on the water, but your crew will look to you to make the safest and best decisions for them. Staying composed and decisive, even in uncertain moments, builds trust. A confident coxswain sets the tone for the boat, creating an environment where the crew can thrive.

row2k - What is your favorite drill to run with your crews? Any tips on how to do the drill well, for maximum effectiveness?
Hannah Jiang - My favorite drill to run is a double pause at bodies over and half slide. It’s simple yet highly effective, emphasizing proper preparation and stillness before the catch.

These two points on the recovery are crucial, and the pauses provide valuable feedback on how my rowers are positioning themselves. I love incorporating this drill into the warmup because it sets the tone for a focused practice, helping my boat to synchronize. For an added challenge, we sometimes introduce a square-feather-square sequence during the half slide pause, which helps with blade control, precision, and it’s fun!

Racing the D3 Grand Final at the 2024 NCAAs

row2k - What's some of the best coaching advice you've received about your coxing?
Hannah Jiang - When I was in high school, I often struggled to find the right words to motivate my rowers and would try to think of motivational calls ahead of time. It felt like I was overthinking rather than letting it come naturally. Technically, I was good, but when it came to motivation, I found it challenging. When I asked my coach for advice, she simply told me, “Be more spontaneous."

At first, I thought it was arbitrary advice, but over time, I realized that for me, spontaneity meant being fully present in the moment. It meant trusting my instincts and responding to what my rowers needed. You can’t predict everything that will happen in a piece or a race, and the ability to react and motivate on the fly is what makes a great coxswain.

Defending bow #1 at the 2024 Head Of The Charles

row2k - What is a mid-race call or move that you've made that you'll remember for the rest of your life?
Hannah Jiang - The NCAA final last year was one of the most memorable races of my career. After battling through a tough heat, we shifted our mindset for the final. I remember just before the 500m mark, I realized we were in a position to take the lead. At that moment, I called something along the lines of, "Your bowball is in front at the national championships--time to become champions, Tufts."

You could tell the momentum in the boat just shifted. It was electric. In the moment, I knew that it was now or never to make our move, and we weren’t going to stop for anyone. All we needed was a spark of belief, and once we had it, there was no looking back.

Celebrating at the line at NCAAs

row2k - Can you tell us anything about how you learned to steer straight?
Hannah Jiang - When I initially started coxing, I used to use my body weight to try to "go more towards" port or starboard. But that doesn’t help anything; it only creates a tendency to oversteer since it causes the boat to become unset and can distract the rowers. Learning how to keep my body in keel with the boat allowed me to gain be more receptive to feedback on my steering.

The biggest improvement in my steering, however, came from learning how to grip correctly. I put the knobs between my pointer and middle finger, then hold onto the gunwales with my others. This reduces oversteering by limiting the ability to make abrupt, unnecessary movements with the string. I also started becoming very aware of every adjustment I made. During practices, I pick points along the course and aim straight towards them. If I notice that I’m steering, I’ll look behind me to check the path of the water. This technique helps me understand when and where I'm steering.

Taking the Eliot turn on the way to winning the Charles in 2023

row2k - Tell us about the best race/practice you've ever had?
Hannah Jiang - My best race was the NCAA final in 2024. From the heats to the finals, you could feel the energy in the boat: everyone was locked in and hungry to win. It wasn’t just about speed; it was about grit, trust, and executing when it mattered most. We wanted to get across the line first and were going to do whatever it took to do just that. A huge part of that race being so successful was the trust we had in each other. Lining up at the start, we knew that every person in that boat was racing not for themselves, but for the team. No matter the outcome, we were in it together.

row2k - How about the worst race/practice you've ever had?
Hannah Jiang - I don’t think I could pinpoint my worst practice or race. Someone once told me that nothing is truly bad unless you fail to learn from it. Whether a race or practice goes well or not, there’s always something to take away. There have been days when things feel harder, when conditions, circumstances, or my own performance isn’t ideal. But at the end of the day, we can only control so much. What matters is how we respond, adapt, and grow from those moments. Every challenge is an opportunity to improve.

Thumbs up the way to the start line at the 2024 NCAAs

Thanks for riding along with Hannah...and, remember, this column is open to all "drivers" out there, so if you are an experienced coxswain at any level--from juniors to masters--and would be willing to invite row2k to join you in your ride, just contact us here. We’d love to hear from you about what you see from the Driver's Seat.